TNAG-1424-FCO40-1907-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 34

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(d) Increased Resettlement

We should continue to

encourage

other resettlement

to

take more.

countries, both

But, for the reasons in

have difficulty. There are three possible

directly and through UNHCR,

para 11 above, we shall have

options which might be considered:

(i) The UK might take a further quota.

ourselves.

Our efforts to persuade other countries to take more are unlikely to

be effective until we can show that we are willing to take more

There is evidence that they are looking to the UK

(The present SCORRI enquiry into Vietnamese refugees

is addressing this question.) Clearly a prerequisite for any

successful campaign to increase off take elsewhere is agreement to admit more refugees here, preferably on a continuing quota.

for a gesture.

01

(ii) Training schemes

UNHCR consider that resettlement prospects would improve if refugees

acquired the skills needed to work in industrialised societies. The Hong Kong Government have already devoted considerable attention and

resources to providing training opportunities. They seek to provide

educational and vocational training, with emphasis on English, in

all the

government-run refugee centres. The voluntary agencies run similar programme s in the open centres. In the Hei Ling Chau closed

centre, which i s for North Vietnamese and where as a result the

resettlement rate i s lowest and potential integration problems are

the Hong Kong Government intends with UNHCR assistance greater, provide a special multi-purpose training centre. It will be funded by UNHCR (total cost US$40,000) and will be run by the World Relief

voluntary

should be operational

mid-1985. by

purpose

Vietname se prepare

for refugees

agency.

It

to

to

Its

overseas

will be

resettlement by teaching them basic manufacturing skills and use of simple machinery, and simultaneously

and simultaneously to alleviate boredom while they wait for resettlement, thus reducing the likelihood of

likelihood of friction and

violence. It may be possible to step up or otherwise improve these

activities. Opportunities for employment in the closed centres are

limited. (Open centre refugees are of course free to seek outside

employment). It might be possible to provide more optional, paid

work

within

the

without centres

harming the

CONFIDENTIAL

overall

deterrent